NO! It is tacky/I just don't like it

I would only wear fur if it is vintage or used

Today in our Christmas merriment, I got a present from my grandmother: a beautiful fur hat. The hat was new, and has stunningly soft fox fur. I've never owned any fur before, and never thought about buying it, mostly because it is so expensive.

Wearing fur is obviously a dilemma for for some, but I haven't given it much thought because I've never had the option. I honestly don't care whether others wear it, it's none of my business.

Somehow, though, wearing fur seems to have a stigma attached to it which makes me unsure of whether I want to wear the hat or not. I'd feel guilty. I understand the argument about cruelty to animals, but that doesn't sit comfortably with me when I have no problem wearing leather, eating meat, or using goose down comforters (I know geese usually aren't killed exclusively for down, and sometimes they aren't killed at all). I would feel like a bit of a hypocrite if I just gave up the easiest thing I could and patted myself on the back for being a friend to the animals.

There's also the fact that faux-fur and similar synthetics aren't biodegradable and will be sitting in a landfill for many, many years. Fur, on the other hand, is an organic material and will break down.

On a more shallow and materialistic note, the fur is absolutely gorgeous. It's very very tempting to wear something so soft and warm, especially on these freezing winter nights we have here.

I'm not necessarily asking for advice about my specific situation, or for anyone to justify my decision if I do end up using the hat. I'm simply interested in your views on fur. I know this is a heated topic, so I hope I haven't opened up too much of a can of worms. If I have, I apologize.

I have never been an environment and do not know anyone who lives in an environment where I could justify wearing traditionally produced fur clothing.

I understand that for some places, such as some in Siberia, fur is the only material both warm enough and easily available, so fur is pretty much a practical necessity. I have no problems with people there wearing fur.

A good fur coat will last a lifetime if properly cared for. I wouldn't buy one now, but I have a 30 year old coat that I had reconditioned a couple of years ago and it's looks great. Living in the climate that I live in, there's nothing warmer for those verrrrrry cold days. So I guess you could say that my coat is vintage (same as me )

While I think wearing fur is disgusting and would never do it, this was a gift. You didn't buy it yourself. If you want to wear it, I'm not going to berate you or throw red paint on you. (though I might've in my younger, less tolerant days. )

I have a leather jacket and shoes and purses and think nothing of it, and most people don't although some will say if you won't wear fur you also shouldn't wear leather.

I do have a beaver-trimmed coat and a racoon-trimmed jacket that are absolutely beautiful and I do feel uneasy about wearing them.

I was offered a full-length mink coat by a co-worker because it didn't fit her (she said she would give it to me for free, but if I accepted it, I would have given her something), but I wouldn't want that.

I was just going to ask this very question! I was looking through the Loro Piana winter catalogue the other day and noticed that a number of their products used fur. Is fur coming back in to fashion? Was it ever out of fashion?
Anyway, I have no problem with humanely produced fur. I eat meat and wear leather. Fur lasts longer than either of those.
If you want to wear the hat, go for it. It sounds lovely.

I choose not to wear fur, but I think it's a decision individuals have to make for themselves. That said, I think fur coats are fabulous looking. Viktoria Volchkova in particular had a fabulous one on today at Russian Nations.

I have furs that I inherited from my mother and grandmother after their passing. I have never worn them, just because they seem so matronly. I keep them for sentimental reasons. But, I don't think that I would buy a fur of my own. They are way too dressy for my casual tastes.

But, I think that wearing furs (or not) is a personal choice. I would never impose my point of view on someone else, so I don't hold it against those who wear them. But they just aren't for me.

I bought a bunny-lined hat last year that is absolute heaven when walking the dog on a sub-zero day.

I think I'd probably wear other fur too, though like you it's never been under consideration because it's too expensive.

I bought a "fur" vest at a consignment shop this year--I'm fairly sure it's synthetic, though the label is of an actual furrier & it says only use dry cleaning for fur to clean it. I've worn it a few times & love it, real or not.

I have two gorgeous, intelligent house rabbits who live and act just like cats, they are no different at all. Would you wear cat fur? To me wearing rabbit fur (or any fur, for that matter) is absolutely reprehensible. Rabbits raised for fur live in absolute misery and die a very inhumane death.

I voted vintage. I have worn a vintage coat from the 50ies with a fur trim to a fancy event. But that's absolutely where it stops. I was gifted a mink coat some time ago and just could not wear it- returned it to the giver so she could sell it. I would not wear fur and would not buy fur, with the rarest exceptions- and I think as I get older the exceptions disappear, as well.
Leather is trickier- I wear leather shoes and think as long as cattle is killed, all of it should be used. But then, I am leaning towards being vegetarian- and if I go all the way, leather might become problematic- but it has important practical use, unlike fur. Leather shoes are truly better...

I'm a pescetarian (SP?) for two years now - I eat fish, but only fish that is caught in its own habitat (i.e., haddock) and not farm-raised fish (i.e., tilapia). My non-objection to some fish is that it's just swimming around in its own world until it gets killed vs. suffering for ages in a factory farm waiting to die.

I have never believed in fur, even when I was a full meat-eating, non-bunny mommy. Even though cat fur is illegal in the U.S., I would look at any fur and think of my cats, my friends' dogs, etc. Just yucky overall. Even if I wasn't a huge animal person, I honestly think it feels icky and itchy on the skin, and I never cared for it.

The purpose of the web site that you referenced is to scare/intimidate the designer and the public from wearing rabbit fur. Of course they're going to pick the worst case scenario and display it to the public. I'm sure there are animals raised for meat that are mistreated too, but I don't believe it happens everywhere. You just have to be more conscientious as to whom you buy meat and fur from, etc.

I think for most people, in most places in the world, fur is unnecessary. This makes it different from eating meat, which human beings were designed to do and is the easiest way to get your protein in. (Plus, for some people, their protein needs are high enough that it's pretty much impossible to meet them without at least animal by-products.)

It's also no hardship to give up fur. Therefore, not giving it up, when it's easy and a luxury, and the animals it's made from are not being used for anything else seems wrong to me. I'd feel differently about fur that came from an animal that was slaughtered for its meat, but that's not how we do things in the modern world.